U.S. patent application number 12/351586 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for casing structure for electronic devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lenovo (Singapore) Pte.. Invention is credited to Gang Ji, Takayuki Morino, Tetsuya Ohtani, Akinori Uchino.
Application Number | 20090185340 12/351586 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40876337 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090185340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ji; Gang ; et al. |
July 23, 2009 |
CASING STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
The invention provides a casing structure for an electronic
apparatus that achieves a thin size and light weight. The casing
structure is capable of accommodating a display module, and
comprises a sidewall and a bottom surface in which a conductive
resin region and a nonconductive resin region are butt joined in a
curved line. The casing structure of the electronic apparatus does
not become thick due to the butt joining even when the joint
portions are in a projection area of the display module.
Furthermore, on the display side of the casing structure, there is
no need to have special frame members for securing strength in
addition to the display casing. The display casing accommodates and
protects the display module from an external pressing force and
also has a design function that the outer surface of the casing
resembles that of an outer surface of a conventional notebook
PC.
Inventors: |
Ji; Gang; (Kawasaki-shi,
JP) ; Ohtani; Tetsuya; (Yokohama-shi, JP) ;
Morino; Takayuki; (Yamato-shi, JP) ; Uchino;
Akinori; (Yamato-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FERENCE & ASSOCIATES LLC
409 BROAD STREET
PITTSBURGH
PA
15143
US
|
Assignee: |
Lenovo (Singapore) Pte.
Singapore
SG
|
Family ID: |
40876337 |
Appl. No.: |
12/351586 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.21 ;
312/223.1; 312/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29L 2009/00 20130101;
B29K 2105/06 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; B29C 45/14336
20130101; B29C 45/14786 20130101; B29K 2309/08 20130101; G06F
1/1698 20130101; B29C 45/14311 20130101; B29K 2995/0005 20130101;
G06F 1/1656 20130101; B29K 2715/003 20130101; B29C 45/0001
20130101; B29K 2995/0007 20130101; B29L 2031/3061 20130101; B29K
2307/00 20130101; B29C 45/14811 20130101; B29L 2031/3475 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101; B29C 45/0005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/679.21 ;
312/352; 312/223.1 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00; A47B 97/00 20060101 A47B097/00; A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 11, 2008 |
JP |
2008-004213 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a casing structure, said casing
structure comprising: a sidewall; and a bottom surface, said bottom
surface comprising: a conductive resin region end portion; and a
nonconductive resin region end portion; wherein the conductive
resin region end portion and the nonconductive resin region end
portion are butt-joined to form a joint portion.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion
depicts a curved line in the bottom surface, said curved line
comprising a regular corrugated line.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a conductive resin
region pitch is the same as a nonconductive resin region pitch in
the joint portion.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conductive resin
region comprises a carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonconductive
resin region comprises a glass fiber reinforced plastic.
6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conductive resin
region further comprises a laminated panel, said laminated panel
having an expanded layer disposed between layers made of carbon
fiber reinforced plastic.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the casing structure
is formed by fixing the laminated panel, which has been cut into a
predetermined shape, to a metallic mold and then flowing the molten
glass fiber reinforced plastic into the metallic mold.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sidewall and a
peripheral portion of the bottom surface are formed of
nonconductive resin.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonconductive
resin region further comprises an antenna mounting space.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the antenna
mounting space has a thickness smaller than both a joint portion
thickness and a conductive resin region thickness.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the casing
structure further comprises a display casing accommodating a
display module.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the joint portion
is formed in a projection area of the display module with respect
to the bottom surface; and wherein the conductive resin region and
the nonconductive resin region are lap joined with each other at
positions outside the projection area of the display module.
13. An apparatus comprising: a casing structure, said casing
structure comprising: a display casing, the display casing
comprising: a sidewall; a bottom surface, said bottom surface
comprising: a conductive resin region; and a nonconductive resin
region; wherein an end portion of the conductive resin region and
an end portion of the nonconductive resin region are butt-joined to
form a joint portion; and a display module.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the joint portion
depicts a curved line in the bottom surface, said curved line
comprising a regular corrugated line; and wherein a conductive
resin region pitch is the same as a nonconductive resin region
pitch in the joint portion.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the conductive
resin region comprises a carbon fiber reinforced plastic and the
nonconductive resin region comprises a glass fiber reinforced
plastic.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the conductive
resin region further comprises a laminated panel, said laminated
panel having an expanded layer disposed between layers made of
carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sidewall and a
peripheral portion of the bottom surface are formed of
nonconductive resin.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the nonconductive
resin region further comprises an antenna mounting space, said
antenna mounting space having a thickness smaller than both a joint
portion thickness and a conductive resin region thickness.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the joint portion
is formed in a projection area of the display module with respect
to the bottom surface; and wherein the conductive resin region and
the nonconductive resin region are lap joined with each other at
positions outside the projection area of the display module.
20. A method, comprising: fixing a laminated panel, which has been
cut into a predetermined shape, to a mold, said laminated panel
having an expanded layer disposed between layers made of carbon
fiber reinforced plastic; and injection molding glass fiber
reinforced plastic into the mold in which the laminated panel has
been fixed; wherein a glass fiber reinforced plastic region and a
carbon fiber reinforced plastic region are butt joined to form a
bottom surface of a display casing; and wherein an antenna mounting
space is formed in the glass fiber reinforced plastic region.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2008-004213, filed on Jan. 11, 2008, and which is
fully incorporated by reference as if set forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a casing
structure for an electronic apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In recent years, a portable computer such as a notebook type
personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "notebook PC") has
been standardized to have a radio communication antenna. The radio
communication antenna is disposed on an upper surface or a side
surface of a liquid crystal display so that the antenna exhibits
the optimum sensitivity when users use the notebook PC. In order to
cope with recent demands such as broad and multiple frequency
bands, a high data transfer rate, or a diversity communication, the
number of antennas mounted on a display-side casing of the notebook
PC has been more and more increased.
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-149463
discloses an electronic apparatus casing in which a resin member
for covering a distal end part of a base member containing a fiber
is bonded to the base member by means of adhesive while preventing
the adhesive from running over a joint surface of the resin member
and the base member, thus covering a hangnail of the fiber at the
distal end part. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
11-298158 discloses an electronic apparatus casing configured by a
metal plate and wall parts formed of a composite heat-curable resin
material, for coping with multiple purposes of, such as, a light
weight, an electromagnetic shielding property, or a transformation.
The metal plate and the wall parts are joined with each other in
corrugated joint surfaces.
[0005] With further progress in the trend toward thinner size and
lighter weight notebook PCs, the structure of the display casing
has been further evolved to cope with such progress. In a metallic
display casing, the cutout portions for securing the antenna
sensitivity have weak points in terms of strength while posing
designing problems; hence, a display casing having a new structure
is demanded. Therefore, a need has been recognized for an
electronic apparatus, especially, such as a next-generation
notebook PC, to have a display casing capable of achieving a thin
size and light weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relates to a casing
structure for an electronic apparatus capable of accommodating a
display module, the casing structure comprising a sidewall and a
bottom surface in which a conductive resin region and a
nonconductive resin region are butt joined.
[0007] In accordance with at least one presently preferred
embodiment of the invention, there is broadly contemplated herein a
casing structure for an electronic apparatus which achieves a thin
size and light weight.
[0008] In summary, one aspect of the invention provides an
apparatus comprising a casing structure, said casing structure
comprising: a sidewall; and a bottom surface, said bottom surface
comprising: a conductive resin region end portion; and a
nonconductive resin region end portion; wherein the conductive
resin region end portion and the nonconductive resin region end
portion are butt-joined to form a joint portion.
[0009] An additional aspect of the invention provides an apparatus
comprising: a casing structure, said casing structure comprising: a
display casing, the display casing comprising: a sidewall; a bottom
surface, said bottom surface comprising: a conductive resin region;
and a nonconductive resin region; wherein an end portion of the
conductive resin region and an end portion of the nonconductive
resin region are butt-joined to form a joint portion; and a display
module.
[0010] A further aspect of the present invention provides a method
comprising: fixing a laminated panel, which has been cut into a
predetermined shape, to a mold, said laminated panel having an
expanded layer disposed between layers made of carbon fiber
reinforced plastic; and injection molding glass fiber reinforced
plastic into the mold in which the laminated panel has been fixed;
wherein a glass fiber reinforced plastic region and a carbon fiber
reinforced plastic region are butt joined to form a bottom surface
of a display casing; and wherein an antenna mounting space is
formed in the glass fiber reinforced plastic region.
[0011] For a better understanding of the present invention,
together and with other and further features and advantages
thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the
invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an outer
appearance of a notebook PC 10 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating an inner surface of a
display casing in which an LCD module is accommodated.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top plan view illustrating a state where
antennas are disposed in the display casing.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view illustrating a state where the LCD
module is accommodated in the display casing.
[0016] FIGS. 5 (A-C) are a top plan view and cross-sectional views
illustrating a detailed structure of a joint portion.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a display casing
and an LCD module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiments of the present
invention, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit
the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely
representative of selected embodiments of the invention.
[0019] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" (or the like) means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or
"in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0020] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are given to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one
or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures,
materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to
avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
[0021] The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals or other labels throughout. The
following description is intended only by way of example, and
simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices that are
consistent with the invention as claimed herein. The detailed
description of the invention will briefly review some conventional
arrangements and problems associated therewith in order to
highlight some features of the instant invention (providing
solutions to these problems). The description will then proceed
with a more detailed description of preferred embodiments according
to the present invention.
[0022] Referring now to the figures, the instant invention will be
described with reference to the figures herein and the scope of the
invention will be pointed out in the pending claims.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a
structure of a display portion 213 of a conventional notebook PC.
The display portion 213 includes a display casing 223, a display
module 225, antenna mounting portions 227a and 227b, and a bezel
231. A variety of types of radio communication antennas are mounted
on the antenna mounting portions 227a and 227b. The display casing
223 has a box-like structure, and the display module 225 is fixedly
accommodated therein. The antenna mounting portions 227a and 227b
are disposed between a side portion of the display module 225 and
an inner surface of the display casing 223. The bezel 231 is
disposed on a front surface of the display module 225 to be mounted
on the display casing 223.
[0024] The display casing 223 is a structure for protecting
internal components of, for example, the display module 225 from an
external pressing force. For this reason, the display casing 223
has usually been formed of a thick glass fiber reinforced plastic,
but nowadays, in order to achieve a thin size and a light weight
while maintaining strength of the casing, light metals such as
aluminum alloys or magnesium alloys are often used.
[0025] When antennas mounted on the antenna mounting portions 227a
and 227b are disposed inside the display casing 223 formed of a
conductive material such as metal, the sensitivity may be lowered.
For this reason, in the case of the display casing 223 formed of
metal, a structure is typically used in which cutouts 233a and 233b
are formed in parts of a side portion thereof corresponding to the
antennas, and caps 235a and 235b configured by nonconductive
members such as rubber or plastics are packed into the cutouts 233a
and 233b.
[0026] However, when the cutouts 233a and 233b are formed in the
display casing 223, the strength at these portions is inevitably
lowered undesirably. For this reason, it is necessary to decide the
structure of the display casing 223 with the presumption that the
strength will be lowered by the cutouts 233a and 233b so that
sufficient strength can be ensured. Particularly, when a plurality
of antennas is mounted on one casing, the cutouts are required by
the number of antennas mounted, so that it leads to a limit in
achieving a thin size and lightweight in a metallic casing.
[0027] Furthermore, according to co-pending and commonly assigned
Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-069947, a display casing is
configured by a composite member including a decorative cover
formed of a nonconductive material for contributing to designing
function and a frame formed of metal for contributing to
strengthening function. However, such a casing still poses problems
in the form of increased number of members used or the weight
thereof because of the metal used therein.
[0028] Therefore, according to at least one presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention there is broadly contemplated
herein a casing structure for an electronic apparatus, which
achieves a thin size and a lightweight. The casing structure for an
electronic apparatus is capable of accommodating a display module,
the casing structure comprises a sidewall and a bottom surface in
which a conductive resin region and a nonconductive resin region
are butt joined. The joining portions for the butt joining depict a
curved line in the bottom surface of the casing. The joint portions
allow respective end portions of two regions to contact with each
other while depicting a curved line so that the size of contacting
areas can be increased more than contacting them in a straight
line, thus reinforcing the joint portions. Moreover, it is possible
to secure a space in the thickness direction of the casing by means
of the butt joining, thus achieving a thin size.
[0029] The curved line may be configured to include a regular
corrugated line. In such a case, a pitch of the conductive resin
region may be made to be the same as a pitch of the nonconductive
resin region. The conductive resin region may be configured to
contain a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. In such a case, when the
conductive resin region is formed by a laminated panel having an
expanded layer between layers made of carbon fiber reinforced
plastic, it is possible to obtain a conductive resin region having
a light weight and high strength. Moreover, when the casing
structure is formed by fixing the laminated panel cut into a
predetermined shape to a metallic mold and then flowing the molten
glass fiber reinforced plastic into the metallic mold, the molten
glass fiber reinforced plastic may come into the expanded layer of
the butt joint portions, so that it is possible to increase the
strength of the joint portions.
[0030] When the sidewall and a peripheral portion of the bottom
surface are formed of the nonconductive resin so that an antenna
mounting space is provided in a space defined by the sidewall and
the bottom surface, radio waves can be transmitted and received
through the bottom surface and the sidewalls, so that it is
possible to improve the antenna sensitivity. When the thickness of
the antenna mounting space is made to be smaller than the thickness
of the joint portions and the conductive resin region, a larger
space can be provided to an antenna, so that it is possible to
increase the degree of freedom in antenna design. Since the butt
joint portions do not form a corrugated surface in the bottom
surface even when they are in the projection area of the display
module, it is possible to obtain a casing structure having a thin
size
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating an outer
appearance of a notebook PC 10. The notebook PC 10 has a liquid
crystal display (LCD) module 15 accommodated in a display casing
13. A system casing 11 accommodates system devices such as a
processor, a motherboard, a wireless module and a hard disk drive.
A keyboard assembly 17 and a keyboard bezel 19 are mounted on an
upper surface of the system casing 11. The system casing 11 and the
display casing 13 are openably coupled to each other via hinge
portions 21a and 21b.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a top plan view according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating an inside of the
display casing 13 in which the LCD module 15 is accommodated. The
hinge portions 21a and 21b are positioned on the upper side of FIG.
2. The display casing 13 has strengthening function of
accommodating the LCD module 15 and protecting the display module
15 from an external pressing force and also has designing function
that an outer surface thereof constitutes an outer appearance of
the notebook PC 10. Therefore, on a display side, there is no need
to have a special frame member for securing strength in addition to
the display casing 13.
[0033] The display casing 13 is formed by two regions: a glass
fiber reinforced plastic (hereinafter, referred to as "GFRP")
region 101 formed of a nonconductive material and a carbon fiber
reinforced plastic (hereinafter, referred to as "CFRP") region 103
formed of a conductive material. The GFRP region 101 is disposed in
a peripheral portion of the display casing 13 and constitutes
sidewalls 13a for forming the inside into a box-like shape. In the
GFRP region 101, antenna regions 101a and 101b, an indicator region
101c, and the other regions 101d and 101e are representatively
depicted. The CFRP region 103 is disposed in the central part of
the display casing 13 so as to occupy the whole area. The GFRP and
the CFRP are both based on nylon.
[0034] The antenna regions 101a and 101b and the indicator region
101c are configured to extend toward the central part from the
sidewalls 13a so that their boundaries 201a to 201c with the CFRP
region 103 are formed into a regular waveform. The antenna regions
101a and 101b are used as spaces for mounting an antenna of, for
example, a LAN or a WAN. The indicator region 101c is used as a
space for mounting a light emitting diode as an indicator.
Moreover, the CFRP region 103 includes a camera region 103a for
mounting a camera.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a top plan view according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a state where
antennas 251a and 251b are arranged in the display casing 13. The
antennas 251a and 251b are configured by radiation element portions
255a and 255b and ground sheets 253a and 253b, respectively. The
antennas 251a and 251b are connected to a wireless module
accommodated in the system casing 11. In the radiation element
portions 255a and 255b, a plurality of radiation elements
corresponding to respective frequency bands is attached to the
frame formed of synthetic resin. The ground sheets 253a and 253b
are formed of an aluminum foil. The antennas 251a and 251b are
disposed to be positioned on the upper side when the display casing
13 is opened as shown in FIG. 1, in order to improve the antenna's
radio wave sensitivity.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a top plan view according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a state where the
LCD module 15 is accommodated in the display casing 13. As is clear
from FIGS. 3 and 4, the antenna regions 101a and 101b are
configured to extend a sufficient distance toward the central part
from the sidewalls 13a so that the whole body of each antenna 251a
and 251b can be mounted thereon. As a result, joint portions of the
antenna regions 101a and 101b and the CFRP region 103 are in a
projection area of the LCD module 15 with respect to the bottom
surface. Since the whole body of each antenna 251a and 251b can be
arranged within the antenna regions 101a and 101b formed of a
nonconductive material, it is possible to obtain a good radio wave
characteristic. Specifically, the antennas 251a and 251b are
arranged such that the radiation element portions 255a and 255b are
disposed between inner surfaces of the sidewalls 13a of the display
casing 13 and the LCD module 15, and most parts of the ground
sheets 253a and 253b are disposed between the LCD module 15 and the
antenna regions 101a and 101b.
[0037] Here, a description of a joint structure between the GFRP
region 101 and the CFRP region 103 will be described. The GFRP
region 101 and the CFRP region 103 need to form a single body to
secure strength of the display casing 13 such as by holding the LCD
module 15 or enduring an external pressing force. Therefore, the
joint portions require a predetermined strength. As illustrated in
FIG. 2, the joint portions of the GFRP region 101 and the CFRP
region 103 include butt joint portions 201a to 201c depicting
regular waveforms in the bottom surface and lap joint portions 201d
and 201e shown by straight lines. The lap joint portions 201d and
201e are only illustrations, and all joint portions of the GFRP
region 101 and the CFRP region 103 other than the butt joint
portions 201a to 201c are lap joined, that is, in an overlapping
manner.
[0038] In the lap joint portions 201d and 201e, the GFRP region 101
is lap joined over the CFRP region 103 so that it bulges toward the
inner side of the display casing 13. In the butt joint portions
201a to 201c, an end portion of the GFRP region 101 and an end
portion of the CFRP region 103 are butt joined at contacting
surfaces depicting regular corrugated curves such as waveforms in
the bottom surface. Although the lap joining can provide higher
strength than the butt joining, the lap joining is applied only to
areas disposed outside the projection area of the LCD module 15
with respect to the bottom surface because the lap joint portions
become thicker at the inner side. Alternatively, a method of the
lap joining such that the GFRP region 101 bulges toward the outer
side of the display casing 13 at the lap joint portions may be
considered; however, such a method may not be applied because of
designing problems.
[0039] In accordance with at least one presently preferred
embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the CFRP region 103
is about 1.5 mm and the thickness of the antenna region 101a is
about 1 mm to 1.5 mm. The CFRP region 103 is produced by cutting a
laminated panel having an expanded layer sandwiched between two
CFRP layers into the shape of the CFRP region 103 as shown in FIG.
2. By applying such a laminated panel to the central portion where
it is necessary to increase the strength of the display casing 13,
it is possible to produce the display casing 13 as being
lightweight and having increased strength. Then, the display casing
13 is formed by injection molding in which the processed CFRP panel
103 is set on a metallic mold and a GFRP heated to be melt is
press-fitted to the metallic mold.
[0040] FIG. 5A is a top plan view according to at least one
embodiment of the present invention illustrating a detailed
structure of the antenna region 101a and the joint portion 201a.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view according to at least one
embodiment taken along the arrows A-A in FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C is an
enlarged cross-sectional view according to at least one embodiment
of the joint portion 201a. In FIG. 5B, a thickness t1 of a
principal surface constituting the antenna region 101a is set to 1
mm; however, a thickness t2 thereof in the vicinity of a joint
surface with the CFRP region 103 is set to 1.5 mm, which thickness
is the same as the thickness of the CFRP region 103.
[0041] The antenna regions 101a and 101b are coupled with the
camera region 103a by means of butt joining, so that it is possible
to secure sufficient strength. Since the radiation element portion
255a of the antenna 251a can be arranged in a thin (thickness t1)
part of the antenna region 101a, a space for the radiation element
portion 255a of the antenna 251a can be provided in the thickness
direction of the display casing 13, easing restrictions on an
antenna design and thus obtaining a good antenna characteristic.
Further, by allowing the antenna regions 101a and 101b to be thin,
it is possible to achieve a light weight of the display casing
13.
[0042] In the joint portion 201a, an end portion of the antenna
region 101a and an end portion of the CFRP region 103 are contacted
each other in a curved surface depicting a regular corrugated line
and having a width L1 of about 6 mm and a length L2 of about 7 mm
as viewed in top plan view. The contacting surface may have other
shapes as long as it can increase the size of contacting areas of
two materials to thus increase the coupling strength. Since the
CFRP region 103 has a laminated structure having the expanded layer
109 inserted between the CFRP layers 105 and 107, the GFRP melt in
the process of the injection molding can partially come into the
expanded layer 109, and thus, both of them can be firmly joined to
each other as illustrated in FIG. 5C.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the joint portions 201a to 203d
are in an orthographic projection area of the LCD module 15 with
respect to the bottom surface and are thus hidden thereunder, but
the joint portions 201d and 201e are positioned outside the
orthographic projection area of the LCD module 15. Therefore, even
when the joint portions 201d and 201e are lap joined with the GFRP
region 101 at the inside of the CFRP layer 105, there is no problem
in mounting the LCD module 15.
[0044] Since the joining between the camera region 103a and
portions of the GFRP region 101 in the vicinity of the sidewalls
13a can be carried out by lap joining, it is possible to secure the
strength of the camera region 103a. Moreover, by applying butt
joining to the camera region 103a having increased strength, it is
possible to secure the strength of the antenna regions 101a and
101b. In the joint portions 201a to 201c, butt joining is carried
out, thus providing a flat mounting surface for the LCD module 15
to the bottom surface. Moreover, the outer surface of the display
casing 13 is coated with paint so that the joint portions 201a to
201e are invisible from the outside.
[0045] While the present invention has been shown and described by
way of particular preferred embodiments in conjunction with the
drawings, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed
embodiments. It is to be understood that the present invention may
employ any configurations known in the art as long as they can
attain the effects of the present invention, for example the
present invention can be used in an electronic apparatus such as a
portable computer or a mobile phone.
[0046] If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all
patents, patent applications, patent publications and other
publications (including web-based publications) mentioned and/or
cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as
if set forth fully in their entirety herein.
[0047] This disclosure has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to explain principles and practical application,
and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *